Students recognized for civic engagement efforts

Three Cornell College students are getting recognition for their outstanding involvement with civic engagement efforts on campus and in the community.

Brianna Christensen ’16Jacob Buster ’16Leah Bossom ’17

Iowa Campus Compact just announced that it has selected Jacob Buster ’16 as the Iowa College AmeriCorps Program Member of the Year for the State of Iowa. Leah Bossom ’17 and Brianna Christensen ’16 are both up for Iowa Campus Compact’s 2016 Network Choice Student Leadership Award. Because of the large number of applicants throughout the state, however, online voting will determine the finalists for their award category. Voting takes place through May 26, and anyone is welcome to take part.

Buster, who recently graduated, is one of the founders of the newly formed Cornell College Emergency Medical Squad (CCEMS). He also responds to emergency medical calls with the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Buster recognized the need for the service group, which has received the most student senate funding of any request to date. Through his efforts, seven Cornell students were recruited for EMT training to help with emergency responses in and around the Cornell College area. Buster has decided to stay in the Mount Vernon area to continue his EMT work after graduation.

Christensen also recently graduated after playing a vital role in civic engagement during her time at Cornell College. The graduate was also one of the founders of the new and successful CCEMS. She spent time serving the campus and local community through her involvement with the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service, Cornell’s Alternative Spring Break program, Cornell’s Colleges Against Cancer, and Cornell’s Health Professions Society.

Bossom has had a big impact on the Cornell College community. She led the Cornell Alternative Breaks program and works with the Lunch Buddies program and elementary school mentoring program. Bossom also organizes all of the service opportunities for her sorority.

Iowa Campus Connect is an organization that works with colleges and universities to prepare students to become engaged citizens. According to its website, these awards recognize individuals and groups for their work toward the Iowa Campus Compact mission of deepening and strengthening campus civic and community engagement.